title: [Khat (Catha edulis): is it "coffee" or "cocaine"?].
abstract: Regular consumption of khat's (Catha edulis) fresh leaves seriously affects the health, the social and economic life of the subject. Therefore, it is hazardous both to the individual and to the community. According to the latest reports, consumption of chat may exert some unknown and unreported gastrointestinal and hepatic effects. On the basis of studies performed by the authors, it seems that khat (cathinone) has no gastric or duodenal ulcerogenic effect. However, it does cause a significant enlargement of the hepatic mitochondria. In addition, a concern arose recently that the profit of illegal traffic of the plant may reach some illegal (terrorist) organisations. Therefore it seems that the so-called "khat-problem" needs further and more effective control.
authors.affiliation: Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Anatómiai, Szövet- és Fejlődéstani Intézet, Szeged. profbalint@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Erika Éva
authors.initials: EÉ
authors.lastname: Bálint
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Falkay
authors.forename: Gábor Sándor
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Bálint
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D029754:Catha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000139:chemically induced; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000009:adverse effects; D023481:Terrorism / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; C023665:cathinone